Islamabad United claim PSL4 opener against Lahore Qalandars

Defending champions Islamabad United defeat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets to win the opening fixture of the fourth edition of Pakistan Super League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The defending champions won the toss and chose to bowl.

Qalandars got off to a brilliant start as openers Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar put on a 97-run opening partnership. The stand came to an end when the latter was dismissed for 37 off 30 deliveries with four boundaries and a six to his.

Zaman and South African veteran AB de Villiers took the total to 129 with their 32-run stand before the opening batsman fell after scoring 65 off 44 balls which included six fours and three maximums.

After De Villiers departed after scored a 17-ball 24, there was little to no resistance shown by the middle order and the side managed 171-8 in their 20 overs.

United started the run chase of 172 in a positive manner as Luke Ronchi and Rizwan Hussain scored a 45-run opening stand.

Rahat Ali managed to bag three quick wickets which put the game back in Qalandars’ favour.

Cameron Delport and Hussain Talat recovered the side with their 55-run stand on the fourth wicket.

After Hussain Talat and Cameron Delport’s dismissal, it was Faheem Ashraf and Asif Ali who came to the side’s rescue with their unbeaten 59-run partnership and took the side to victory.

Rahat Ali gives away only three runs as United openers fail to read him

Over 1: Islamabad United 14-0 (require 158 more runs to win)

Luke Ronchi 11 (4b)
Rizwan Hussain 3 (2b)

Bowler: Shaheen Afridi (4-1-2-1-0-6)

Ronchi hits a four and six as 14 runs come off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first over

LAHORE QALANDARS

Over 20: Lahore Qalandars 171-8

Mohammad Hafeez 5 (3b)

Bowler: Mohammad Sami (6-1-1-W-2-W)

Both captains will be satisfied with the 172-run target. Lahore Qalandars will be satisfied with their strong score on a pitch where the ball isn’t quite coming on to the bat, while Sami and co will be pleased with the way they clawed back into the game after Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar got them off to a flier with their 97-run stand at the start of the innings.

WICKET: Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw b Mohammad Sami 2 (2b 0x4 0x6)

WICKET: Yasir Shah run out (Luke Ronchi) 5 (3b 1×4 0x6)

Over 19: Lahore Qalandars 161-6

Yasir Shah 0 (1b)
Mohammad Hafeez 4 (2b)

Bowler: Faheem Ashraf (0-W-1-4-W-1lb)

Faheem Ashraf with another tight over as Lahore disappoint at the death.

Hello and welcome to the live updates of the opening day of PSL4 as defending champions Islamabad United kick off their campaign against Lahore Qalandars in Dubai. Both sides are looking forward to start their journey on a winning note.